Dear Fellow Citizens,

It was with great excitement that I announced my candidacy for Secretary of State in 2010. This is a critically important time in state government. You deserve elected officials that you can trust to do the right thing. For more than 17 years, I have chosen public service because I believe in the honor of helping others. I am committed to lead by example the more than 400 state employees that serve in the Office of Secretary of State. I will strive to be regarded as a servant leader. Together we will work for you!

As your next Secretary of State I will return this office to the citizens of Georgia. In 2007, the current holder of this office constructed a wall in the Capitol foyer of the Office of Secretary of State. I will remove this wall because it is so symbolic of the overall lack of citizen based leadership in this administration.

Access to the Office of Secretary of State has been obstructed since the last election because of self-interest. This is wrong. I will re-open the doors to the Office of Secretary of State and invite the citizens of Georgia to come back. After all, this is your State Capitol. Many of you have fond memories of walking through the Capitol and glancing through the window with gold-leaf lettering that proclaims Secretary of State. You treasure the times that you saw true Georgia heroes like Ben Fortson, Max Cleland and others.

You will find me in the front office working every day for you. I will end the frequent current lack of helpfulness when local election officials call the State Elections Office. I will fight for you as I stand up every day to make Georgia a greater state. My dedication to meeting the needs of our citizens will exceed expectations. My one and only goal for serving in this office is to give Georgians the best Office of Secretary of State in the entire nation!

Today I ask for your vote and support in the Democratic Primary. Your prayers for me, all other local, state and national leaders are also requested. I hope that I have the opportunity to meet you in person. Until then, if you have any questions about my candidacy, please call my home office number 770-473-9039.

Sincerely,

Gail Buckner